arousal

noun

arous·​al ə-ˈrau̇-zəl 

plural arousals

1

: the act of arousing someone or something

arousal from sleep

This belated arousal of the hunting instinct seemed to make almost another man of him.

—Jack London

: the state of being aroused

His work with animals had implicated adrenaline and noradrenaline in emotional arousal and memory.

—Daniel Goleman

2

: a state of physiological and psychological excitation caused by sexual contact or other erotic stimulation

Studies show 60% of patients taking the drugs experience some form of sexual dysfunction, ranging from loss of desire to problems with arousal and an inability to reach orgasm.

—Tara Parker-Pope

Examples of arousal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This suggests petting might activate more attentional processes and elicits strong emotional arousal. —David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025

By contrast, reappraisal techniques, which involve reinterpreting the meaning of a triggering event, have been shown to reduce emotional arousal and support long-term emotional health. —Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

Any spot on your body that induces arousal can be paired to create a blended orgasm. —Amanda Chatel, Glamour, 9 Jan. 2025

Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news Your pupils say a lot about you — about your mental state, your attention span, your arousal, and your intelligence. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 1 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

arouse + -al entry 2

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing arousal

• hyper-arousal

Medical Definition

arousal

noun

arous·​al ə-ˈrau̇-zəl 

1

a

: the act of arousing

arousal from sleep

b

: the state of being aroused

specifically : responsiveness to stimuli

… cells of the locus coeruleus, a brain center involved in maintaining attention and arousal …

—Science

2

: a state of physiological and psychological excitation caused by sexual contact or other erotic stimulation

Studies show 60% of patients taking the drugs experience some form of sexual dysfunction, ranging from loss of desire to problems with arousal …

—Tara Parker-Pope, The Wall Street Journal